Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-08-10

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From: The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at <http://www.telpress.it/ata>

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Poll of Albanian Consumer Association about corruption

[02] Continuous attack on villages of Decan - Serb forces shoot on population -

[03] Serbs have set to fire 46 houses in Likoc

[04] Ionian sea patrolled by Albanian and Greek police

[05] Vans of Serb police with number plates and symbols of the KLA seen in Istog

[06] Fighting extends to Kacanik outskirts

[07] Albania's National Theater troupe in Cairo with "Museum" by Trebeshina

[08] Two dinghies with about 50 illegal Kurds on board caught

[09] New agreements to protect Ohrid lake

[10] No wage increase for budget system this year

[11] Albanian RTV continues to be a political space in capital

[12] Albania increases exports with France, Germany

[13] US diplomat meets with Kosova president

[14] DP accuses government for foreign investment policy

[15] Slovenia accords $100 thousand for Kosova refugees

[16] Juri says we will contribute to political solution to Kosova issue

[17] Foreign ministry denies Serb charges on Kosova troops trained in Albania

[01] Poll of Albanian Consumer Association about corruption

According to the answers, 89.7 per cent of the interviewed are convinced that there is corruption in Albania, 21 per cent of them replied the question "Where do you think there is corruption" with "In state administration," 14.3 per cent have replied in "Public institutions," 17.7 per cent of the interviewed said "In judiciary" while 45.7 percent think that corruption is extended everywhere.

The poll found that most affected by corruption are those working in public services, in the customs and in the financial system.

About 18 of the 48 complaints addressed to the SHKSH these days from the region of Tirane, the poll stresses, say that they have found corruption in public health institutions.

Corruption is also reflected in the state administration mainly in the granting of certificates, diplomas and licences.

61.6 per cent of the interviewed during the poll said that "The law exists but it is not observed." 71.7 per cent of them express the need of anti-corruption institutions to be established, while 81.3 per cent of the interviewed think that corruption is a phenomenon which may be fought if strict measures are adopted by the state. /a.ke/das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Continuous attack on villages of Decan - Serb forces shoot on population -

In the above villages, besides Carrabreg i Poshtem and a part of Prejlep, the population returned to their homes some days ago. It is presumed that there have been casualties in the ranks of civil population because Serb forces attacked the people who have been fleeing their homes, mainly children, women and elderly people, stressed Information Centre of Kosove. /p.ta/das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Serbs have set to fire 46 houses in Likoc

The houses of quarters Gecaj and Vjovie in village Llaushe are reported to have been looted and then torched and nobody knows of the fate of 500-600 Albanians reportedly sealed off in village Llaushe. Great damages are registered in Plluzhine. About 4000 refugees, mainly children, women and aged people are in open air for more than a week in Fushe e Molles, between Obiliq and Verboc. /p.ta/das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Ionian sea patrolled by Albanian and Greek police

The chief of border police of Sarande, Krenar Muco, told ATA that "joint patrolling of the sea bordering our two countries will continue for 6 months, according to a protocol-agreement reached between the respective ministries of Public Order."

On this occasion, he added, the Albanian Minister of Public Order, Perikli Teta, is expected to pay a working visit to the Island Corfu.

The aim of the joint patrolling of the sea in that region is to prevent illegal trafficking of all kinds, the same source said.

After the consolidation of inter-border relations of police of the two countries, it is the first time that such a joint sea patrolling is being applied. /s.sh/das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Vans of Serb police with number plates and symbols of the KLA seen in Istog

The same source reported that on August 3, at about midnight, Serb forces opened fire against the houses of Samjl and Hajdar Arifaj in Cerkolez of Istog. There were no victims but the windows were damaged. Because of this attack and total insecurity since the two houses are surrounded by houses of Serbs, the members of the two Albanian families have left their homes and are accommodated in a nearby village inhabited by Albanians. /p.ta/das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Fighting extends to Kacanik outskirts

Village Duraj borders the commune of Ferizaj whose village Jezerc and some other villages of this commune are arenas of fighting for several days now between Albanian forces and Serb forces. In today's early hours, Serb snipers killed an Albanian in his house in the city of Suhareka. Intensive fire of weapons have been also heard during the past night in Prishtine and other areas of Kosove. /p.ta/das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Albania's National Theater troupe in Cairo with "Museum" by Trebeshina

Invited in the traditional festival, which will last 12 days, are about 50 theater casts throughout the world.

In the 9th edition of this Festival, the actor from Albania Mirush Kabashi was awarded the "Golden Sphinx" for interpretation of "Apology of Socrates" philosophic comedy.

The National Theater is invited to take part in this activity with the comedy "Museum" of Kasem Trebeshina, a comedy which in 1973, when it was written, was considered as a part with "serious limitations in ideas." /f.n/das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Two dinghies with about 50 illegal Kurds on board caught

The dinghies which had set sail from the coast of Vlore (Southern Albania) aimed to carry the Kurds, most of whom women and children, to Italy.

The spokesman of Guardia di Finanza, deployed in the port of Durres, told ATA that the dinghies were nearly 7-8 miles from the shore in Cape of Gjuheza and despite the efforts by local captains to avoid the pursue of Guardia di Finanza, they were forced to turn back to the seashore.

After 52 dinghies brought back to the shore by boats of Guardia di Finanza during the past month and with about 1 500 illegal Albanians on board sailing at night, it is the first time that two dinghies with foreigners on board aiming to reach Italy in midday, have been brought back to the shore. /s.sh/das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] New agreements to protect Ohrid lake

Both agreements were signed respectively by Lubica A. Acevska, the FYROM ambassador and Ajay Chhibber, director for FYROM in the World Bank. For Albania, the agreement was signed by Petrit Bushati, ambassador of the Republic of Albania and Gerardo Corochano, active director for Albania at the World Bank.

This joint project, which is the first of this kind in the Central and East Europe and the first between two countries, will help carry out join management of the Ohrid lake area, its protection and maintenance of unique natural springs and bio-diversity. /ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] No wage increase for budget system this year

The Albanian government is actually aiming at keeping inflation control and strengthen national currency Lek.

During the first six-month period this year, sources of the Bank of Albania said that inflation is under control what is been expressed in the improvement of foreign exchange rate as against the Lek and increase of trust of depositors in banking system.

The wage increase in Albania since 1992 was gradual following the increasing curve of price index.

The average wage of employees at the end of 1992 reached at 2.173 leks while at the end of 1993 it increased to 3.684 leks.

At the end of 1995 the average wage was recorded at 6.587 leks.

Upon the government decision the wages were increased twice during 1996 reaching an average value of 8.638 at the end of the year. Though the prices increased in 1997 no wage increase was done due to the blocking of a credit on wage balance.

Wages in budget system recorded an average increase by 20 percent in 1998 but for special sector such as public order, justice bodies, customs houses and tax offices it was increased by 50 percent of the average monthly payment. /ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Albanian RTV continues to be a political space in capital

The ADC held the news conference to make public the results on a monitoring of state electronic media which lasted five months. The monitoring process also included four independent newspapers "Albania", "Gazeta Shqiptare", "Koha Jone", "Shekulli" (Dita Informacion). It aimed at pointing out the most important daily news in the above newspapers and if the news were highlighted by the state electronic media.

One of the conclusions is that the state electronic media is far from highlighting the concern of citizens. In the five months of monitoring (March-July) the political and state topic in the state electronic media covered 25 to 41 percent of all the air time of news broadcast.

The association made public the fact that the local government has been given less exposure by state electronic media. As regards the political topic and state the opposition is given more air time than the opposition concerning the party activities, but the ruling coalition government takes advantage of the government activity where their leaders are present, the ADC said.

The economic and social topics which are the most interested for many citizens are being given less time in broadcast and unemployment, emigration, age-groups, education are not being dealt with. s.sh/pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Albania increases exports with France, Germany

Italy and Greece, taken as a whole, had reached at about 75.8 percent of the total of trade imports and about 76.7 percent of the total of exports.

Comparing the data of June with those of the previous month it is noted an increase of the exports and trade imports with France and Germany as well as the increase of trade imports from Belgium, Bulgaria, Slovenia and increase of exports with Macedonia.

In comparison with May, trade imports from European Community countries are decreased about 2.7 percent. There is an increase for 13.3 percent of trade imports from the Eastern European countries.

The majority of the specific weight of our trade exchanges is performed from the countries of the European Community. During June 1998, exports and trade imports from the European Community countries have reached respectively about 93.8 and 86.7 percent of the total of exports and trade imports.

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] US diplomat meets with Kosova president

Following an over one-hour meeting, Hill said that they talked about the situation in Kosova and the need to resume as soon as possible the negotiation with Belgrade.

"Conditions for negotiations have been very difficult during the last two weeks and on the other hand it is understandable that there is no solution out of negotiations," Hill said.

Asked whether they discussed the option-document of the Contact Group on a solution to the Kosova issue, Hill said that "this issue was dwelt upon briefly."

As regards the content of the document, Hill said that "it contained different ideas. Some of them are very practical and some others maybe are not functional."

Asked about the rumors that Hill intermediate between the political parties and the Kosova Liberation Army (KLA) about the creation of a new government of Kosova, the U.S. diplomat said that "I am here to see how I can help find a solution to these horrible problems in Kosova," and warned for other talks. fh/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] DP accuses government for foreign investment policy

Chief of the economic department at the DP headquarters Albina Karamitro presented some points showing that the Nano government has made some mistakes in the policy of foreign investments.

Karamitro said that "there is no improvement in legislation on investments and structural reforms to that are lacking."

As long as this government is in power difficult economic consequences will prevail, Karamitro said.

"This government has taken advantages in camouflaged ways by "pyramids" which were created and reached the climax of their activity during the period the Democratic party (DP) was in power.

In 1995-1996, investments reached at $175 million while during one year ruling of the Nano government they are estimated at "zero level", she said.

The decrease in foreign investments in Albania resulted from the destruction of state last year but political instability in Albania also influenced this, according to international financial institutions. To ease political tensions, the international community has called on the DP to return to parliament and contribute in political and economic stability in Albania.

In an address to the Albanian parliament the Democratic leader had asked foreign investors not to come to Albania and said that when his party returns to power it will reconsider all the acts of privatisation and contracts of the present government. ypa/pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Slovenia accords $100 thousand for Kosova refugees

Speaking to journalists Juri focused on the visit that he and his delegation made early on Monday in Bajram Curri. There they met representatives of the international humanitarian organisations and a group of Kosova Albanians who had just arrived from Junik.

They said that the displaced people urgently need aid as they are being settled in the poorest European country, the Slovenian senior diplomat said.

The aid accorded by Slovenia includes food and medicaments, which is estimated at hundreds and thousands of dollars.

The Slovenian senior diplomat confirmed that the aid will continue in the future. ypa/pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Juri says we will contribute to political solution to Kosova issue

In a meeting on Monday with the Secretary of State for European Integration Ilir Meta, number two of the Slovenian diplomacy confirming his government's support in the Security Council linked it with the real strength of this small European state which will hold the presidency of the U.N. executive body next month.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Juri said that "despite Slovenia's leading position in the U.N. Security Council, its role will be limited because every kind of option undertaken by us needs the consensus of all members."

The Slovenian senior diplomat considered the negotiations of the Contact Group very important endeavour in finding a peaceful solution and said "we are for an international force in the border between Albania and Yugoslavia to prevent a spill over of the conflict in the whole region."

The number two of the Albanian diplomacy Ilir Meta confirmed his counterpart the option of the Albanian government on the future status of Kosova, a status which should be varied between the principle of self-rule and non-changing of borders. ypa/pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Foreign ministry denies Serb charges on Kosova troops trained in Albania

It said that "these stale accusations obliged us to reiterate that they are untrue."

In reaction to repeated accusations from the Serb side for Kosova troops being trained in Albania and weapons trafficking, the Foreign Ministry said that "it considers necessarily to respond to the groundless charges of the Serb side and referring to the specialised sources of the Ministry of Public Order it publicly denied the existence of these 'imaginary' camps as well as assured the Yugoslav authorities that the Albanian government is fully committed to stop whatever kind of weapon trafficking into Yugoslavia."

Considering these charges as much tendentious and ill-willing with which Serbs are trying to cover up their provoking actions of border incident type with Albania, the Albanian Foreign Ministry called on Belgrade's authorities to take measures to prevent by any means every border violations as it had happened last weekend when three Yugoslav military helicopters violated the Albanian air space, that is on Saturday and Sunday in the C2/9 and C2/6 border post in the area of Dobruni, Has district. ypa/ak/

From the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at http://www.telpress.it/ata

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